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American Airlines grounds bereavement fares

American Airlines is ending its policy of offering discounted bereavement fares to passengers who are traveling because of medical emergencies or deaths of relatives, CNN reports.

The company said it was eliminating the fares to bring its ticket policy in line with its merger partner, US Airways, according to the report.

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American Air, which is now run by the former CEO of US Airways, said the change brings the newly combined airline in line with current aviation industry standards.

"We remain committed to doing all we can to relieve the burden of travel for our customers in times of need. With the advent of more choices, lower cost carriers and larger networks, the industry has started to move away from bereavement fares because walk-up fares are generally lower than in the past, and customers now have more opportunities to find affordable fares at the last minute," American Airline spokesman Matt Miller said in a statement, according to the report.

"American is moving toward that industry trend and the airline offers customers changeable and refundable options with the ability to apply future reservations to bereavement travel without change fees,” Miller continued. “We believe this policy is a cost-effective solution for customers in need of bereavement travel."

American and US Air completed their merger in December after a contentious battle with federal regulators that resulted in the airline having to give up flights at airports in New York and Washington, D.C.